The 12th Annual Broadway Blessing will be held Sept. 8 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan.

Boyd Gaines
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Four-time Tony winner Boyd Gaines and three-time Tony nominee Lynn Redgrave will be part of the event, which kicks off the new theatre season. The 7-9 PM Blessing, conceived and directed by Retta Blaney, is a "service of song, story and dance that has been bringing the theatre community together every September since 1997 to bless the new theatre season," according to press notes.

In addition to Redgrave and Gaines' performances, the evening is also scheduled to feature Les Miserables' Adam Jacobs performing a selection from Amazing Grace: The True Story and Jerry Curry offering a song from The Student Prince. Dancing by Project Dance and The Essentials and performances by The Broadway Blessing Choir, under the direction of Cathedral organist Timothy Brumfield, will also be presented.

Gaines is a Tony Award winner for his work in Gypsy (now playing Broadway's St. James Theatre), Contact, She Loves Me and The Heidi Chronicles. Redgrave was Tony-nominated for her performances in Mrs. Warren's Profession, Shakespeare for My Father and The Constant Wife.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is located in Manhattan at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 112th Street). The event is free and open to the public; call (212) 316-7449 for more information.